Bob Hampton of Placer

Her gaze was fastened upon the open locket, the fair face pictured

there smiling up at her as though in pleading also.

"You truly think she would wish it?"

"I know she would."

The girl gave utterance to a quick, startled breath, as if the vision

frightened her. "Then I will go," she said, her voice a mere whisper,

"I will go."

He led her down the steps, out into the jostling crowd below, as if she

had been some fairy princess. Men occasionally spoke to him, but

seemingly he heard nothing, pressing his way through the mass of moving

figures in utter unconsciousness of their presence. Her locket hung

dangling, and he slipped it back into its place and drew her slender

form yet closer against his own, as they stepped forth into the black,

deserted road. Once, in the last faint ray of light which gleamed from

the windows of the Miners' Retreat, she glanced up shyly into his face.

It was white and hard set, and she did not venture to break the

silence. Half-way up the gloomy ravine they met a man and woman coming

along the narrow path. Hampton drew her aside out of their way, then

spoke coldly.

"Mrs. Herndon, were you seeking your lost charge? I have her here."

The two passing figures halted, peering through the darkness.

"Who are you?" It was the gruff voice of the man.

Hampton stepped out directly in his path. "Herndon," he said, calmly,

"you and I have clashed once before, and the less you have to say

to-night the better. I am in no mood for trifling, and this happens to

be your wife's affair."

"Madam," and he lifted his hat, holding it in his hand, "I am bringing

back the runaway, and she has now pledged herself to remain with you."

"I was not seeking her," she returned, icily. "I have no desire to

cultivate the particular friends of Mr. Hampton."

"So I have understood, and consequently relinquish here and now all

claims upon Miss Gillis. She has informed me of your flattering

opinion regarding me, and I have indorsed it as being mainly true to

life. Miss Gillis has been sufficiently shocked at thus discovering my

real character, and now returns in penitence to be reared according to

the admonitions of the Presbyterian faith. Do I state this fairly,

Naida?"

"I have come back," she faltered, fingering the chain at her throat, "I

have come back."